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In a move stirring debate over privacy and civil liberties, Swedish police are considering the deployment of cameras equipped with real-time facial recognition technology to identify suspected criminals in public areas. This proposed system would automatically scan faces against a database of known offenders and alert law enforcement if a match is found.
Proponents argue that such technology could enhance public safety by enabling law enforcement agencies to quickly identify and apprehend dangerous criminals. They believe that the implementation of facial recognition cameras could be a crucial tool in maintaining order and security.
The proposal, as reported by NyTeknik, suggests that the police should be permitted to use camera surveillance with automatic facial recognition in real time in public spaces, in accordance with the EU’s AI Act. This Act generally prohibits real-time remote biometric identification in public spaces but allows for exceptions at the member state level.
In December, the Swedish government called for an inquiry to assess the legality of this proposal under the AI Act. Kazimir Åberg, leading the inquiry, concluded that live facial recognition could be implemented, provided that the watchlist includes only individuals accused of crimes punishable by at least four years in prison, and that judicial authorization is obtained.
Additionally, if approved, the technology would also be used to search for missing persons. Another related proposal would grant police access to footage from road traffic cameras to investigate terrorist activities and other serious crimes that carry a minimum sentence of three years in prison.
These proposals follow a surge in gang violence in Sweden, prompting the government to reconsider its surveillance strategies. The country’s data privacy watchdog has released an opinion supporting the use of biometric data stored in the Swedish passport register to aid in crime prevention.
However, critics highlight significant ethical and legal concerns, arguing that facial recognition technology threatens individual privacy. In 2021, Sweden’s authority for privacy protection found that the Swedish police violated the Swedish Criminal Data Act by using Clearview AI for identifying individuals, underscoring the risks and controversies associated with such surveillance measures.
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